The Deliberate Church

I have finished Confessions of a Reformission Rev, so until Driscoll's new book comes out, I'll be picking up on a new book called The Deliberate Church. Mark Dever, well known for his thoughts on the Nine Marks of a healthy church has co-authored this book along with Paul Alexander, apparently one of his students. I'm excited about the read. I'm also getting to see one of my best friends tomorrow because we're playing in Louisville, so I get to hang out with him for the day. Fun times...

Why is it so?

Ed Stetzer has blown my freaking mind again. If you haven't done so yet, go download the Convergent Conference from the podcast of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Amazing. Driscoll's message is great as well. But Stetzer made a great point that I can't get out of my head...

By the way, the talks are about emerging and emergent churches.
But here it is what is blowing my mind right now.

When you live like a missionary, you look similar to the world (the culture you're in), but you live differently.
Here's the deep irony.
We, in America, live identical to the culture and just look differently. That's sad.

This is nothing new or deep. But it reminds me our church culture is in desperate need for change.

Oh. And yeah, song lyrics keep coming to me. I'm excited about that. Peace.

New Albums Excite Me

I've been anticipating the new Jimmy Eat World album for some time now. It comes out in about thirty minutes. Unfortunately, I have lost all hope to get it at midnight. I miss Auburn, well at least Hasting's Entertainment, where I got their last two albums the minute it hit the shelves. I guess Wal Mart will see me sometime in the early morning. That's pretty much my day today, and for that, I'm happy. Well, this is really my day...

I slept in until almost ten.
I showered. That's good.
Had lunch, mexican, with my best friend Adam.
Looked for a jacket, no find so far.
Went to a football game with Mal for cheerleading, fun times.
Stopped by Wal Mart for food and hopes to get Jimmy Eat World two hours early, failed.

Tomorrow will be a good day, Lord willing.
I actually usually get annoyed when people say "Lord willing."
I'm such a hypocrite. At least I sing about it, I guess.

Church and technology

This video is pretty rad. Check out Mark Driscroll's thoughts on church and tech stuff.

So it's been too long

I've realized how easy it is to ignore things when you don't think about them.
How often do I do that to God?
I mean, to not post a blog on here for months is petty, but when I don't pray for a few days because God is just, there... that's dangerous to do.
My line of work deals with talking with a lot of people about this Jesus who has saved me.
But I found myself last night begging for God to forgive me for not truly praying for like three days.
That sucked to do. But I knew that I had to.

I hope I can get better at this blogging thing, but I really hope I get better at praying.
Grace and peace.

The sovereignty of God

Sometimes I want to go insane, or maybe, I'm actually just gradually getting there without trying. Either way, when things don't go the way that Kevin wants them, he becomes an idiot. I preach my heart out about how God is sovereign over all things, but then I get really mad when in God's sovereignty, I don't get what I want. How do I deal with this problem?

I do believe that God has orchestrated everything in all of creation. I am living a life I never dreamed of, and a life that I've never wanted. There are days, like today, that I want to get out. Wait. Not out of life in general, but just what I'm doing in life... I want to be done. But here's the tough part. Why has God put me here? Why would He do all that has taken place, and have me just end it now? It doesn't make sense. And so... the confusion continues in my life.

Pray for me please. I don't like not being home, and I'm away quite a bit. I'm praying that God will get me there more so that these thoughts will just go away.

Goodnight.

Back to work and life

I've been on vacation. It was, so wonderful. A week of not thinking about life, pretty much. Mal and I headed down to Seagrove Beach, Florida. Beautiful time together, just hanging out. So while that went on, I shut all technical life down for the most part - email, cell phone, and yeah, this fun blog.

Upon false accusation, I just want to be clear that I'm hoping to keep this new blog thing going for a bit. My life is getting scheduled pretty hectic right now, but this neat project is somewhat of an oasis for me, so I'm hoping it will stick.

God's been gracious to my family. We're trying to get innovative in the ways to grow spiritually (of course, by God's grace). Don't really want to go into detail, but just want to praise God for the ideas He has given us.

Speaking of ideas, the songwriting itch is back. I've got quite a few lyrical ideas sloshing around in this little noggin. Add in your thoughts and ideas (royalty free of course, hehe) as you wish. I will leave you with a few thoughts, not lines, that I'm chewing on right now...

depravity in me and grace from God

the largeness of the love of God for His children

the providence of God to use sinners for his glory


That's all for now. Peace and love.

Taking church for granted

Here it is on a Sunday afternoon and I've been riding in a van all day. For so many years of my life I've been so freaking spoiled by the ability to go to church when I want to. I never dreamed that a day would come where I, being the church geek that I am, would be in a position to not be able to make it to church. But I am. And here I am riding in this van writing a blog and listening to John Piper online. Now don't get me wrong. I love Piper. I am quickly falling in love with writing notes to myself. I'm also in love with this incredible task (job, profession) that God has given me. But man, not getting to go to church to eat up the teaching of the Bible and worship Jesus with your family and love on your friends really sucks. I admit it. I have taken church for granted.

I love my new church. God has us in a place where we're going to be discipled by a godly couple who cares about us. There is a vision from the pastor and his wife (same couple) that God is the in center of. No, it's not a perfect church. It's not full of "perfect" people. It doesn't do and/or have everything I would like for it to. But God has not called us to shop for the place we want. He sends us where we need to be. It's a church where the pulpit matters, a church that teaches the Bible, and a church that unashamedly preaches the gospel of our very sovereign God. Thank you Lord for sending us there.

I'm so excited to be living this portion of God's plan in my life. It is not what I ever expected, and not exactly everything I've wanted. But God explains in Isaiah 55 that His ways are much higher than my own just as His thoughts are also. Does that verse mean I'm going to be happy ever after? Heck no. I miss my wife, my dog, my church. I'm not happy about that. But I also know that the Gospel was proclaimed through this wicked vessel yesterday through the streets of Tampa, Florida.

May God continue to be given glory through every part of my existence. I need forgiveness for my screw-ups, so thank You God for Your marvelous grace. I need You to expose Your gospel in my life today Lord. Help me.

Evan Almighty and popcorn

Mal and I went with two friends to see the flick today. What's sad is that we went to the matinée and it was still $6.50 each. That's ridiculous. My buddy Adam and I shared a bathtub of popcorn that we didn't finish. Anyway, to the flick...

Steve Carell can pretty much film a day in his life, and I will enjoy it. I've loved him for a while, but his character Michael from The Office is my hero. I won't spoil the story for you, but I will say that it was good enough for the theaters. I'm not one who goes to the Rave because of it's price, but for Steve, I'd do anything.

It also previewed a new movie he's in called Dan. He plays a serious role this time. I'm pretty stoked.

Well, we van out (cool bands get to bus out, but we're poor) at midnight from Montgomery, so I only have a few hours of fun left before it's time to hit the road again. Tampa here we come! But I'm happy that we'll be back on Sunday. Alright. The fam (that's me, my wife and my dog) is headed out for a date. It's Friday movies in the park here in our little town, I guess we're gluttons for movies today. Peace.

I don't always like the mirror

With this being my first blog, I want to explain a little bit of my life. The sad reality that I've had to face is that in my profession, my personal life is always exposed. I feel that this is an incredible thing seeing that Jesus lived His life pretty open for all to see. By having my blog remain nameless is not to hide from people, but it's honestly to keep the twelve year old girls who will have no idea what I'm saying away, at least for a while let's hope.

I want to be honest about myself. I am a saint, chosen by an incredible God whom I question too many times, and I really question why He chose me. Before and after my sainthood, with no evidence needed, I am also a sinner. My hope in fleeing completely from sin will only come true in heaven. This flesh sucks really bad, and I continue to fall short of His glory on a daily basis.

I like to call myself conservative in the scriptures and liberal in politics. I believe that Jesus sought to love people, and I would like to carve my life around that same idea.

There are many days where I dream big. These dreams revolve around the idea of God using me for His glory. I don't want my name to be remembered. I want the Church to remember why we're here. I don't want to be rich. I want the rich to love the poor. I don't always like the mirror, but I know this twisted guy with a big mouth that I see everyday wants to tell the truth. I don't want the spotlight, but now that it's here I desire for God to shine through this wicked vessel.

My life prayer and belief between me and God...

"You are the only Thing that's beautiful in me."

That is me. More to come soon.